When Men Objectify Women, the Consequences Can Be Scary

From catcallers to Internet porn to models and actresses Photoshopped without their consent, women are constantly objectified. Now, a new study published in Psychology of Women Quarterlyshows that men objectifying women "can contribute to an insidious form of sexual pressure" in relationships, leading women to not speak up for their own needs in bed.

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Researchers from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts surveyed 119 heterosexual men and 162 heterosexual women to measure the connection between objectification and sexual pressure in romantic relationships. Participants ranged from 18 to 69 years old and varied in relationship status.

In order to measure how they viewed women, men were asked to rate how much they agreed with statements like, "During the day I think about how my partner looks many times." Researchers also measured a factor they called "partner-shame," in which men may feel upset when they can't control how their partners look. Finally, they examined the extent to which men used sexual pressure by offering statements like, "A woman needs to please her man sexually to hold on to him" and "I have threatened to hurt my partner after she told me she would not have sex with me."

Women were asked to rate similar statements, but phrased in reverse, like "When I can't lose weight, I feel like there must be something wrong with me" and "My partner threatened violence against me if I did not have sex with him." They also answered questions about how comfortable they were engaging in certain sexual activities, like being naked with their partners, communicating what they want in bed, and turning down sex entirely.

The study's results, controlled for factors like age, religion, and political conservativeness, painted a dark picture for romantic relationships. Men who said they often thought about their partner's appearance were more likely to feel negatively about her weight gain. That shame was linked to believing women should be expected to provide sex, and committing acts of sexual coercion using violence, threats, or emotional manipulation.

And the fate for women wasn't any better. Women who felt objectified by their partners were more likely to internalize that objectification, feeling ashamed of their bodies and acting less in their own interests. According to the study's authors, objectification "creates an internal pressure for the objectified partner to consent to sexual activity, regardless of one's own preferences."

Researchers say their data shows a need for couples to be more aware of objectification and how it may affect their dynamics. Though physical attraction is a major part of relationships, couples should be aware of how and when one views their partner as an object. That way, they can work together to avoid an unhealthy dynamic—both in and out of bed.